Game 152: Return of the Phranchise
By · CommentsThe Yankees elimination number is just three, so any combination of three Yanks losses or Red Sox wins, and it’s officially over. Not that we’re holding out hope at this point. For the Yankees to make the playoffs would take a collapse on the level of…nah, I won’t go there.
On the mound tonight is Phil Hughes, in his first major league start since going down with a fractured rib in late April. Phil has been stellar his past few starts in AAA, winning two playoff games, including the clinching game of the International League Governor’s Cup.
It’s not exactly a big night for Phil. With the Yanks basically out of it, there’s no pressure. Yes, it would be wholly disappointing for him to look like he did in April. But if that’s the case, well, it’s no the end of the world. He’ll get another start or two before the season closes, and he’ll get plenty of work in winter ball. All we really care about is him doing well in 2009.
For the skeptics out there, though, it’s best that he gets through at least six innings with two earned runs tonight. And when he gives up those runs, hopefully it’s in the later innings. If he gives up a run in the first, I fear for my text message inbox. I can see the “Fraudchise” messages pouring in.
Your lineup:
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Xavier Nady, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Ivan Rodriguez, C
9. Melky Cabrera, CF
And on the mound, back to number sixty-five, Phil Hughes.
ByThanks to Scott at 3 Kids Tickets, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away for tonight’s start. Not only would you get to see one of the final games at the stadium, but Phil Hughes is making his first start since the beginning of the season. The seats are in Tier Reserve, Section 27, Row S, and the first person to answer the following question correctly in the comments and leave a valid e-mail address in the e-mail field will win the tickets.
Connect Phil Hughes to the first batter to come to the plate at Yankee Stadium in 1923. The connection should follow the traditional Kevin Bacon game. For example, to connect Don Mattingly to Mickey Mantle, you would say that Mattingly played on the 1983 Yankees with Bobby Murcer who played on the 1965 Yankees with Mantle. Get to it; time’s a-wastin’. · (21) ·
ByJust a quick tidbit. You can now follow River Ave. Blues on Twitter. Just head to twitter.com/riveraveblues. We’re not going to spam it with all of our posts, but we will have discussions and take questions. It’s actually a great way to get in your off-topic comments.
Update: You can also now get River Ave. Blues updates in your inbox. Mosey on over to this Feedburner link, drop your e-mail address into the appropriate spot, and sit back and wait for those e-mails. Neither us nor Feedburner will use your e-mail address for any other purpose. You can also just use the box at left to subscribe as well. Please note, this service will deliver just new posts to your inbox and not new comments. · (6) ·
O, say, can you see from the bleachers?
By · Comments
Via New York Magazine’s Daily Intel blog comes the lovely news about the bleachers at new Yankee Stadium: A whole bunch of unlucky fans won’t be able to see because the restaurant will be in the way. As you can see from the above screenshot, that pesky restaurant is going to obscure the sight lines.
Now, we’ve heard about this problem in the past, but the existence of that oh-so-fun Stadium seat selector confirms the bad news. Folks sitting in the some bleacher sections won’t be able to see the entire outfield. Fans in left won’t have a view of right, and fans in right won’t have a view in left.
While the impacts only a few of the bleacher denizens — the people sitting in the sections adjacent to these bad sections can still see — a significant number of bleacher seats in a new stadium will have obstructed views. But, hey, at least the people in the center field restaurant will be able to see. Right?
After the jump, the view from right field.
ByThe Associated Press tracked down a Yankee fan who was there for the first game at the stadium and will be there for the final game this Sunday. Joe Mignogna, now 90 and a resident of Delaware, went to Yankee Stadium on April 18, 1923 when the Yanks and Red Sox opened the Stadium. He was five at the time and says that his family got their tickets from then-owner Jacob Rupert. Mignogna’s grandfather was one of the construction foremen who built the original stadium. As we hear the memories and tales of Yankee Stadium, this one’s a great story. · (1) ·
Joba, Kennedy headed to winter ball?
By · CommentsThe Yankees have two pitcher spots left to fill for the Arizona Fall League. There’s been some speculation that one of those spots could go to Joba Chamberlain, who could use a few more innings this year after missing a month with shoulder tendinitis. Today, Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees are “strongly weighing” the possibility of not only sending Joba to the AzFL, but also Ian Kennedy, who missed time in May with a back injury.
The Yanks would very much like all three of their young pitchers to get additional work to refine their repertoires and also to build innings so that they could be in position next year to take on expanded roles. But, especially in the case of Chamberlain, the Yanks are worried about putting too much on a pitcher who this year began spring as a starter, switched to the pen, moved to the rotation, went on the DL with shoulder tendinitis and returned to the bullpen. That is why the meetings include not just GM Brian Cashman, minor league head Mark Newman and minor league pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras, but also consultations with trainers and doctors.
It’s good to know the team is being cautious. While the average fan probably thinks Joba should pitch this fall so that he can expand his innings limit for next year, we don’t have all the relevant information. They’ll have to get a real gauge on Joba’s shoulder before making any kind of decision on whether he pitches, ad what his role will be in the future.
Sherman also touches on Ian Kennedy, who was the losing pitcher in last night’s Bricktown Showdown. The Yankees are considering calling him up to make a start before the end of the season, but will only call him up if he’s penciled in. He could take Andy Pettitte‘s final start after he closes down the Stadium, or he could take Pavano’s spot. At this point, there’s no reason to not give Kennedy another start. Why trot out an injured Pettitte or a healthy Carl Pavano (ha!)?
ByChad Jennings – who else? – has the news. Miranda signed a 4-yr, $2M ML deal prior to the 2007 season, so he’s already on the 40-man and there’s no need for a roster move. The lefty swinging Cuban defector pounded RHP to the tune of .332-.436-.534 this year, but managed only .195-.258-.280 off southpaws. I suspect we’ll be seeing a little less of Giambi the rest of the season. · (14) ·
Scranton denied AAA title
By · CommentsTriple-A Scranton (4-1 loss to Sacramento) Sacramento wins their second straight Bricktown Showdown
Justin Christian & Eric Duncan: both 0 for 4 – E-Dunc K’ed twice
Chris Basak & Juan Miranda: both 1 for 4, 1 K - Miranda doubled
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 3 K
Ben Broussard & Ramiro Pena: both 1 for 3 – Broussard drew a walk … Pena drove in the only run & committed a fielding error
Matt Carson: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 K – he’s gonna be a 6-yr MiL FA this winter, so this may have been his last game with the Yanks
Chris Stewart: 1 for 2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Ian Kennedy: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 5-3 GB/FB – 56 of 96 pitches were strikes (58.3%) … looked rather crappy in the first when he gave up the 3 runs, but he settled down nicely and kept his team in for another 4 frames
Steven Jackson: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3-0 GB/FB – 11 of 17 pitches were strikes (64.7%)
Chase Wright: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HB, 0-1 GB/FB
Mark Melancon: 1.2 IP, zeroes, 1 K, 2-2 GB/FB – 12 of 14 pitches were strikes (85.7%) … he was a beast, no bullshit, here it is, hit it if you can
Double-A Trenton’s season is over; they won the league championship.
High-A Tampa’s season is over; they did not qualify for the playoffs. The Daytona Cubs won the league championship.
Low-A Charleston’s season is over; they did not qualify for the playoffs. The Augusta Green Jackets (Giants) won the league championship.
Short Season Staten Island’s season is over; they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Batavia Muckdogs (Cards) won the league championship.
The Rookie GCL Yanks’ season is over. The GCL Phils won the league championship.
DotF will be back when the Hawaii Winter Baseball season starts on Sept 27. See you then.
Game 151: Just keep on winning
By · CommentsSorry this is a bit late tonight. We’re taking you right up to game time. For those who want to watch the AAA team rather than the big leagues, you can check out the Bricktown Showdown on ESPN 2. Mike has the game thread, so you can comment along there. Over here, we’ll talk about the Yankees taking on the White Sox.
Lineup:
1. Johnny Damon, DH
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Xavier Nady, LF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Jose Molina, C
9. Brett Gardner, CF
And on the mound, number forty-six, Andy Pettitte.
